A tragic car crash in Medina County has resulted in a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide against 19-year-old Brenden Anthony Gundel of Lodi. WKYC reports that the incident, which occurred on Friendsville Road around 5:10 p.m. Monday, left a 63-year-old woman named Pegeen Razem dead after her vehicle was struck and she later succumbed to her injuries.
According to the Medina Gazette, the Medina Police Department indicated that reckless driving was the cause of the crash, which involved two vehicles. Tragically, the woman, identified as Pegeen Razem, was transferred to a hospital in Akron from the Lodi hospital, where the alleged injuries related to the crash claimed her life. Gundel, who has been accused of causing the crash, was also injured and has been transported to receive medical care.
Razem's vehicle was found overturned, and the second with significant front-end damage when officers arrived at the scene, as per the details provided by Cleveland 19. The Medina Police Department has since stressed the gravity of the situation, referencing the chain of events as a "heartbreaking loss" and extending condolences to the victim's family and loved ones. Chief Ed Kinney was quoted as saying, “This crash is a tragic reminder that reckless driving decisions can have permanent and devastating consequences. We urge everyone to slow down, drive responsibly, and remember that a moment of poor judgment can change lives forever."
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be presented to the Medina County Grand Jury. As noted, additional charges may be filed based on the outcome of this review. Following the crash, Friendsville Road was closed for several hours to allow emergency services, including the Lafayette Township Fire Department, Westfield Fire and Rescue District, Lodi Fire Department, and Medina County Sheriff’s Office, to respond to the tragedy and carry out preliminary investigations.
